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12/31/2019 11:00 AMChange was a constant in East Haven for 2019. The most notable change resulted from Joseph Maturo, Jr., East Haven’s longest serving mayor, choosing not to seek a 10th term. A proposed change to the runway length at Tweed-New Haven Airport also had the full attention of many residents. Another significant proposal—for a partially affordable housing project on Sperry Lane—resulted in no change: The application was denied.
Here’s a look at the headlines that had our attention in 2019.
January
Tweed New Haven Airport added direct flights to Charlotte, North Carolina to its current Philadelphia service.
An update for the town’s Plan of Conservation & Development was conditionally approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission. The 2019 update replaced the 2007 plan.
A federal investigation of the East Haven school system continued after a forensic audit requested by the Board of Education (BOE) into its 2015–’16 budget revealed a shortfall of $31,736 in its preschool/before-and-after school program, Little Jackets. Cathy Finkle, who ran the program, was fired as a result of the audit.
Democrat James Albis ended his eight years as state representative for East Haven’s 99th Assembly District, accepting a position as senior advisor to incoming Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes.
February
In the special election for the 99th District seat, Republican Joe Zullo won with 1,658 votes, beating Democrat Josh Balter, a lawyer and 2018 State Senate primary candidate, by a margin of 250 votes.
John Finkle, husband of Cathy Finkle, was charged with three counts of fraud. Finkle had served on the BOE for two decades, including as chair, and was a former Republican mayoral candidate.
The EHHS wrestling team crowned two victors at the SCC Championship. With a win against Guilford in the regular season finale, the team had its most wins for the program since 2000.
The EHHS girls’ basketball team captured the SCC Oronoque Division title by winning divisional games versus Lyman Hall and Amity.
March
Steven “Big Steve” Tracey, a Town Council representative for District 4, announced his bid for the November’s mayoral race.
Superintendent of Schools Erica Forti came before the Board of Finance (BOF) to request $49,718,920 for the upcoming budget, an increase of $1,774,649 or 3.7 percent from last year.
A New Haven woman and former Hamden school employee was recorded on video making racist comments and spitting on a black man in an East Haven Shop Rite.
April
Democratic Town Councilman Joe Carfora announced his intention to run for mayor, citing concerns over declining town infrastructure and looming legal fees. Sal Maltese announced his intention to enter the race for the Republican nomination for mayor. Maltese was the third to declare candidacy.
The Town Council approved the $92,032,599 budget presented by Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., that would reduce the mill rate from 32.45 to 32.42, a 0.09 percent decrease. The $92,032,599 represented a $419,712 or 0.46 percent increase in spending; $47,994,271 was to fund the BOE, providing it with a $50,000 or 0.10 percent increase. For town-side spending, the $44,038,328 budget represented a $369,712 or 0.85 percent increase.
Local 371 UFCW-AFL-CIO union members walked off the job and out onto the sidewalks in front of their employer, Stop & Shop, as ongoing union contract negotiations failed.
May
EHHS held its fifth annual East Haven District Art Show, showcasing a new school store and a computer-controlled cutting machine that is typically used in carpentry shop classes.
The Town Council approved a contract that gave the go ahead to improve the energy efficiency of town buildings, following an audit by Honeywell that estimated the town would save $377,000 annually after improvements to school buildings, town hall, the fire department, and the police department.
The BOE voted to approve the Community Eligibility Lunch Participation program that would expand its free meal program to all students, not just those who qualify by income.
The EHHS baseball team qualified for the Class L State Tournament by earning three victories in SCC Hammonasset Division action.
June
Clean Up East Haven sponsored the Connecticut Diaper Bank drive, held in the Stop & Shop parking lot, for the second year.
Momauguin School revealed its new schoolyard habitat, a project sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
A ground-breaking ceremony, attended by town officials and representatives from Winn Companies, was held at the old high school building on Tyler Street to turn the building into a 70-unit, age-restricted housing development named “The Tyler.”
Moody’s Investors Service awarded East Haven its third credit rating upgrade since 2014, raising the town’s bond rating from A3 to A2.
Students at Tuttle Elementary School won the naming contest for the East Shore District Health Department’s new solar pump-out boat. They named it Solar Shark.
Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., announced that he would not seek the Republican endorsement in a bid for mayor.
July
The Town Council adopted an ordinance to forbid the use of any tobacco or vaping product on town properties, including the Town Beach and the green. The council also adopted an ordinance regarding restrictions on dogs and other animals that codifies existing town rules and approved borrowing money for energy efficiency upgrades.
A 2009 state statute limiting the length of Tweed Airport’s primary runway was overturned by the United States Court of Appeals.
Steven “Big Steve” Tracey received the party endorsement at the Republican Town Committee convention.
John Finkle pleaded guilty to charges of fraud filed against him in February.
BOE Vice-chair Christine Maisano (D) resigned from her position, citing concerns regarding the superintendent and the administration. Maisano’s resignation came before the BOE’s regular meeting, at which the board voted to appoint Patricia “Tia” DePalma to the position of vice-chair in her place.
The BOE and its employees started to operate under their own health care plan, as part of the Area Cooperative Educational Services Health Benefits Collaborative.
A plan proposed by Town Councilman Joe Deko (D-2) to solve parking woes around the Town Beach was brought to the Board of Police Commissioners at its regular meeting.
August
The East Shore District Health Department received confirmation that two mosquitoes collected in East Haven tested positive for West Nile Virus.
The East Haven Rotary Club celebrated its 80th anniversary of community service with the installation of a distinctive legacy post clock located in front of the Hagaman Memorial Library.
The East Haven Democratic Party unanimously endorsed Joseph Carfora as its mayoral candidate.
A 14 year-old East Haven resident was shot in an alley between Thompson Street and the Tuttle School during a street robbery.
The East Haven Fire Department put 41 new self-contained breathing apparatuses into service, completing a project that began in 2017 with a $328,800 federal grant.
East Haven school district teachers and faculty members participated in the national Stop the Bleed and ALICE training campaigns sponsored by the East Haven Fire and Police departments. They learned how to help prevent someone from bleeding to death before first responders arrive.
The state Department of Transportation awarded East Haven $635,000 to begin Phases 3B and IV of the town’s ongoing West end Revitalization program.
East Haven Public Schools’ former business manager James Farrell pled guilty to bank fraud. Farrell, when serving as CEO of the New Haven County Credit Union, illegally funneled more than $600,000 from the credit union to a business co-owned by then-Board of Education chair John Finkle.
September
The 28th annual East Haven Fall Festival brought three days of entertainment, food, carnival rides, crafts, vendors, and more to the East Haven Town Green.
The 2019 Merit Award Dinner honored East Haven residents who made contributions for the betterment of the town. The honorees were Lorena Venegas, Joan Adamczyk, Lisa DeFrancesco, and Riya Patel.
Steven “Big Steve” Tracey defeated his primary challenger Sal Maltese by a vote of 727 to 448, in a race in which 1,178 or 32 percent of the town’s 3,636 registered Republicans participated.
Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., announced that he would not seek a 10th term as East Haven mayor.
The Tuesday Night Bocce League completed its summer season by crowning its league champion. The team of Mike Buglione, Ralph DiCaprio, Carol Mazzerelli, Bobby Scalese, and Peggy Vollono took the title for 2019.
Patrick Tracy was promoted from lieutenant to deputy chief of the East Haven Police Department in a swearing-in ceremony. Tracy filled the role vacated by former deputy chief James Naccarato, whose contract was not renewed by the Board of Police Commissioners.
October
D.H. Ferrara Elementary School was awarded the Top Academic Team prize from the Branford Walk Like MADD. Ferrara School raised $1,365.60 at its fourth annual walk, raising more than $5,600 for MADD Connecticut over the last four years.
$6.95 million in bonding authorizations were approved for town upgrades at a special meeting of the town council; $2.3 million went to the BOE for immediate student safety and health improvements.
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to continue discussion of the proposed affordable housing development project for a property intersecting Sperry Lane and Foxon Road to its Nov. 6 meeting.
Momauguin Elementary School Principal Diane MacKinnon was selected by Crayola and the National Association of Elementary School Principals to receive a “Champion Creatively Alive Children” school grant.
The BOE approved a partnership agreement with Southern Connecticut State University for EHHS students to participate in the university’s Early College Experience program.
November
In the municipal election, Democrat Joe Carfora beat Republican Steven “Big Steve” Tracey and third-party Independent candidate Bonifacio G. “Oni” Sioson, Jr. with 3,865 vote.
The EHHS Co-op Marching Band claimed the Class IIA US Bands National Championship in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to deny without prejudice a regulations text change and a zone change for developer Mark DiLungo’s The Bluffs, LLC’s proposal to accommodate an affordable housing development on Sperry Lane off Route 80.
The East Haven Chamber of Commerce held its annual Tree Lighting on the East Haven Town Green.
John Finkle was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a scheme to defraud an Illinois-based company of more than $3 million. Finkle, who was released on a $500,000 bond, is required to report to prison on Jan. 8, 2020.
At the Town Council’s re-organizational meeting, Democrat Joe Deko of District 2 was unanimously elected Town Council chair. Democrat Louis Pacelli of District 3 was elected vice-chairman.
Michelle DeLucia was unanimously elected to start her second term as chair of the Board of Education.
Michael J. Luzzi was appointed town attorney while Francesca Perri was appointed executive administrative assistant to the Mayor. Tina Hedley, who lost the race for town clerk to Republican incumbent Stacy Gravino, was appointed Carfora’s administrative assistant.
December
Michelle Piercey was given town permission to install a sign on the Town Green that includes the symbols of 11 religions, as well as the message, “Happy Holidays and Winter Solstice to all Religions.”
A skunk, discovered on Short Beach Road in East Haven, tested positive for the rabies virus.
A large group of citizens turned out for a public informational meeting on a new master plan for Tweed-New Haven Airport at the senior center.
A second animal tested positive fro rabies in town.
Mayor Joseph A. Carfora instituted a spending freeze for all town departments to allow the new administration an opportunity to assess all departmental accounts and how funds were being spent in the previous administration.
Mayor Joseph A. Carfora made new town appointments including Charlie Coyle as director of the Public Works Department; Michelle Benivegna, the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for District 4 Town Council, was named head of human resources.